A Red Walker

She had a red walker.

A flat frame style without racing stripes.

She stepped on the bus.
She folded her red walker neatly,

tucked it beside her seat.

She folded herself quietly 
beside the red walker

while teens and young adults around

laughed, joked and texted.

A serious face without expression

but aware of those around her.

She sat in her stillness until

the bell rang for Stop Requested.

Rising, she unfolded her red walker

and stepped down from the bus 

as quietly as she had come,

mindful especially of her red walker

and returning home.

 “I always try to check my motivation and 

be mindful and present in the moment.”

~ The Dalai Lama, 

The World of Tibetan Buddhism